KAKEHASHI Project: Japan-U.S. Youth Exchange Project 50 U.S. university students, from Jul. 29 - Aug. 7, to visit Japan under TOMODACHI INOUYE SCHOLARS Program and head for Ehime/Hiroshima

The Japan Foundation has carried out the “KAKEHASHI Project – The Bridge for Tomorrow" as part of the Youth Exchange Program with North America promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA). The Project will invite a total of 50 university students from University of Hawaii at Manoa and University of Massachusetts Boston for 10 days from July 29 under the TOMODACHI INOUYE SCHOLARS Program in cooperation with the TOMODACHI Initiative promoted by the U.S. government and the U.S.-Japan Council.

During their stay in Japan, the participants will learn about Japanese history, culture and society by listening to lectures by experts in different fields and visiting cultural facilities. On top of that, they visit leading Japanese companies and experience cutting-edge technology there.

The participants from University of Hawaii at Manoa will go to Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Prefecture and have a chance to directly know the charms of the region by interacting with local people through their visit to a factory of Ehime Beverage Inc. which leads the local industries, Matsuyama Castle, a historic building and Dogo Onsen. Those who participate in the program from University of Massachusetts Boston will go to Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture to learn about Japanese history and culture by visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Hawai Iminshiryoukan Nihojimamura (Nihojimamura Museum of Japanese Immigrants to Hawaii). In addition, both university students will have contact with Japanese university students to deepen their understanding of Japan’s attractiveness from their standpoint.